The hazardous impact of true-to-life PET nanoplastics in Drosophila

Plastic pollution is a continuously growing problem that can threaten wildlife and human beings. Environmental plas-tic waste is degraded into small particles termed micro/ nanoplastics (MNPLs) that, due to their small size, can be eas-ily internalized into the exposed organisms, increasing the risks associated with their exposure. To appropriately determine the associated health risk, it is essential to obtain/test representative MNPLs' environmental samples. To such end, we have obtained NPLs resulting from sanding commercial water polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. These true-to-life PETNPLs were extensively characterized, and their potential hazard impacts were explored using Drosophila melanogaster. To highlight the internalization through the digestive tract and the whole body, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and confocal microscopy were used. In spite of the observed efficient uptake of PETNPLs into symbiotic bacteria, enterocytes, and hemocytes, the exposure failed to reduce flies' survival rates. Nevertheless, PETNPLs exposure disturbed the expression of stress, antioxidant, and DNA repair genes, as well as in those genes in-volved in the response to physical intestinal damage. Importantly, both oxidative stress and DNA damage induction were markedly increased as a consequence of the exposure to PETNPLs.

Automated summary

Plastic pollution poses a growing threat to wildlife and humans. This study investigated the risks associated with micro/nanoplastics (MNPLs) by examining environmental samples obtained from plastic waste. The results showed that exposure to MNPLs could induce oxidative stress and DNA damage in organisms.